I work at Trader Joe's. AMA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they treat you well as an employee?

They used to. These days no, and there are lots of whispers of unionizing. Pay is above minimum wage, but raises (and pennies half a year, if that) are capped and not congruent with inflation. The minimum hours for benefits has increased considerably over the years, 401k contributions decreased, and the work is very physical and often backbreaking. Everyone I know deals with some kind of on-the-job pain, from back pain to shoulder strain injuries to severe carpal tunnel. Hazard pay (pandemic related) has stopped, included covid pay if you must be out sick. Overtime pay is nonexistent, and many are looking for other jobs.

TJs used to have a reputation for treating their employees well, but they're riding out that rep while rapidly decreasing morale. This is, sadly, a common attitude among employees. Years ago they used to treat employees quite well.

Oh man, please unionize! I would be so thrilled to shop at a union grocery store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they treat you well as an employee?

They used to. These days no, and there are lots of whispers of unionizing. Pay is above minimum wage, but raises (and pennies half a year, if that) are capped and not congruent with inflation. The minimum hours for benefits has increased considerably over the years, 401k contributions decreased, and the work is very physical and often backbreaking. Everyone I know deals with some kind of on-the-job pain, from back pain to shoulder strain injuries to severe carpal tunnel. Hazard pay (pandemic related) has stopped, included covid pay if you must be out sick. Overtime pay is nonexistent, and many are looking for other jobs.

TJs used to have a reputation for treating their employees well, but they're riding out that rep while rapidly decreasing morale. This is, sadly, a common attitude among employees. Years ago they used to treat employees quite well.

That's really disappointing ti hear. I thought they had a rep of being a good place to work. I've worked places that were unionized and it was so, so much better (we always got our breaks, were not schedule to clopen).

They were actually much better to their employees years ago, and they've ridden that good reputation to their advantage. At the end of the day, TJs present day is no different than any other corporate greed. They just have a more rustic vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJs milk is cheaper but goes bad much faster than a traditional grocery store. Why do you think that is? Is it older?

I have no idea, sorry. I don't buy milk that frequently but when I do, I haven't had that problem. Is it all kinds, or a specific kind (like the organic 2%)? Maybe it's the specific store's refrigeration?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do my main grocery shopping at other stores but go to TJs to stock up on specific TJ brand things. So my cart will be like 10 jars of eggplant dip, 5 each of the same frozen 3 indian meals, 6 jars of hot and sweet jalepenos, and 8 things of cold brew. I always feel weird at check out, like the cashier thinks I'm insane. Would you judge me for that cart or is it relatively normal?

HAHAHA no, truly no judgment. Many of our carts/baskets look similar, as employees - especially when something that's been out for a while comes back into stock. We all stock up on random things at times!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they treat you well as an employee?

They used to. These days no, and there are lots of whispers of unionizing. Pay is above minimum wage, but raises (and pennies half a year, if that) are capped and not congruent with inflation. The minimum hours for benefits has increased considerably over the years, 401k contributions decreased, and the work is very physical and often backbreaking. Everyone I know deals with some kind of on-the-job pain, from back pain to shoulder strain injuries to severe carpal tunnel. Hazard pay (pandemic related) has stopped, included covid pay if you must be out sick. Overtime pay is nonexistent, and many are looking for other jobs.

TJs used to have a reputation for treating their employees well, but they're riding out that rep while rapidly decreasing morale. This is, sadly, a common attitude among employees. Years ago they used to treat employees quite well.

Oh man, please unionize! I would be so thrilled to shop at a union grocery store.

❤️

[Anonymous]

The bread at TJ's definitely goes bad quickly too. I avoid buying bread products there.

[Anonymous]

WFT happened to the soy coffee creamer. This was a staple for at least a decade and the best one out there. Then poof..disappeared

[Anonymous]

Why is the Greek Yogurt so awful tasting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJs milk is cheaper but goes bad much faster than a traditional grocery store. Why do you think that is? Is it older?

I have no idea, sorry. I don't buy milk that frequently but when I do, I haven't had that problem. Is it all kinds, or a specific kind (like the organic 2%)? Maybe it's the specific store's refrigeration?

Different poster, but we have had this problem with TJ's milk for the last decade or two. It's less of an issue for us currently, as one of my kids drinks a lot of milk and helps us get through it fast. But before this, we'd avoid the milk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bread at TJ's definitely goes bad quickly too. I avoid buying bread products there.

We buy GF bread there and never have an issue with it going bad. I appreciate the reasonable pricing on it, but wish the slices were bigger.

[Anonymous]

tell us something interesting. what is your life story? how did you end up working at TJ? how old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh man, please unionize! I would be so thrilled to shop at a union grocery store.

FYI, Giant and Safeway are unionized. I don't know about other grocery chains, but maybe others can add info.

[Anonymous]

Why aren't they wearing masks? They were doing the best job, setting a great business example re: covid before.

[Anonymous]

I would grab samples if they started giving them out again.

Movie theater popcorn is the best! Wished they could stock more of it at one time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The bread at TJ's definitely goes bad quickly too. I avoid buying bread products there.

I'm sorry! I certainly have many gripes about TJ as an employee, but I sincerely haven't had this experience with buying bread (from my own store, or others). You can return the bread, fyi if you'd like.